HELLENIC COSMOS Cultural Centre
The “Living” Museum of Hellenism
Experience ancient Hellenic History and Culture
using exciting state-of-the-art technology!
A must-see attraction
Hellenic Cosmos, the Cultural Centre of the Foundation of The Hellenic
World is a state-of-the art interactive museum in Athens, where culture
and new technologies come together.
Hellenic Cosmos’ ultra-modern and innovative facilities provide the
visitor with the opportunity to experience Hellenic history and culture in
a unique way.
Virtual reality tours of ancient Greek cities that rise in front of the
audience’s eyes, interactive exhibitions, educational programs and
documentaries, are some of the Centre’s offerings that enable visitors
of all ages to learn about Hellenic culture, while using state-of-the-art
technology and modern audiovisual and interactive media.
Hellenic Cosmos welcomes more than 300,000 visitors per year. It
prouds itself for being the number one destination for Greek students
according to official data provided by the Ministry of Education.
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Well-trained and highly-experienced personnel ensures high- level and
friendly audience management and guarantees an excellent visitor’s
experience.
Hence, Hellenic Cosmos is with no doubt a must-see attraction for all
of Athens’ visitors.
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Making it happen
Hellenic Cosmos was created in 1998, in order to host the productions
of its mother-institution, the Foundation of the Hellenic World (FHW).
FHW, a privately funded not-for-profit cultural institution, was founded in
1993 by the Lazaros Efraimoglou family. The Foundation’s mission is the
preservation of Hellenic history and tradition, the building of awareness
for the universal dimension of Hellenism and the promotion of the
latter’s contribution to world cultural evolution.
An old industrial building on Piraeus street was transformed into what is
today an ultramodern, “living” museum. Initially occupying an area of
16,000m2, Hellenic Cosmos gradually expanded, creating an original
cultural area on the industrial axis linking Athens to Piraeus and
decisively contributing to the restoration and improvement of the
whole surrounding area.
Hellenic Cosmos and the Foundation of the Hellenic World, have
received numerous awards and distinctions, among which:

The Commander of the Order of Phoenix, awarded by the
President of the Hellenic Republic, for FHW’s contribution to the
preservation of the national conscience (1999).

The Silver Medal of the Order of Ethics and Political Sciences,
awarded by the Academy of Athens (2000).

Honorary participation in the "Best in Heritage" Conference, as
one of the 24 most important European museums and cultural
Foundations (2002).
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
1st Prize for the documentary "Miletus... A City in Four Dimensions"
in the 5th Amiens International Festival of Archaeological Films
(1998).
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The Hellenic Cosmos Unique Experience
a. Virtual Reality Tours
Would you ever imagine walking around the Agora of Ancient Athens?
At “Tholos”, Hellenic Cosmos’ ultramodern Virtual Reality theatre, you
can make it happen!
Inaugurated in December 2006, “Tholos” has become the symbol of
Hellenic Cosmos and a landmark of Piraeus street. It is a building of
exceptional architecture and unique technological infrastructure,
which can accommodate up to 132 people.
“Tholos” hosts Virtual Reality productions that enable visitors to travel to
and tour around ancient Greek cities that appear in front of their eyes.
Shows are interactive and controlled by the spectator.
All representations featured on “Tholos’” Virtual Reality productions are
based on accurate scientific evidence, originating from years of
research by some of Greece’s most prominent historians and
archaeologists, cooperating with the Foundation of the Hellenic World.
Current interactive shows at “Tholos” include:
“An interactive Tour of the Ancient Agora of Athens”
“A walk around Ancient Miletus”
“A walk around Ancient Olympia”
“A Journey to Ancient Priene”
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b. Interactive Exhibitions
Hellenic Cosmos enjoys multifunction facilities that can ideally host a
series of permanent and periodical interactive exhibitions.
All exhibitions are based on modern museological design and use
state-of-the-art technology. Aiming at the active participation of the
visitors, they are accompanied by Virtual Reality applications that
provide additional information.
Currently the Centre hosts 2 exhibitions:
-the fascinating interactive exhibition about the future of human
activity on space, “Beyond Planet Earth. The Future of Space
Exploration”, created by the American Museum of Natural History in
New York in collaboration with the Israel National Science, Technology
and Space Museum (MadaTech, Haifa, Israel)
- the exhibition “Patterns of magnificence. Tradition and reinvention in
greek women’s costume” by the Peloponnesian Folklore Foundation
"V. Papantoniou".
Throughout the years, Hellenic Cosmos has hosted a number of
exceptional
greek and foreign exhibitions
such as
‘’Μyths and
Monsters” by the Natural History Museum of London, “Ice Station
Antartica” by the Natural History Museum in London, “Da Vinci: the
man, the inventor, the genius”, “Is there an answer to everything? A
journey to the world of Greek Mathematics”, “Stories of coins Narrations of cities”, “ The bracelet: Neo-Hellenic and Ethnic (19th-20th
century)”, “Meeting at the Ancient Agora”, “Theatre, the art of arts”,
“Crusades: Myth and Reality”, ”Tales of the Olympic Games. A unique
exhibition” and “Krossia, Chitones, Doulamades, Velades – 4000 Years
of Hellenic Costume”.
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c. Theatre and Music Performances and Art Events
In March 2008, “THEATRON” (Theatre), a high-tech, multifunctional
venue was inaugurated, completing the exhibition and educational
operation of Hellenic Cosmos.
Since then, “THEATRON” has become an indispensable part of the
cultural life of Athens, having hosted some of the city’s most important
and successful plays and music performances, as well as art events,
painting exhibitions and festivals.
Host to some of the country’s most prominent actors, performers and
artists, “THEATRON” has also welcomed major international productions
such as Samuel Beckett’s play “Krapp's last tape” by Robert Wilson,
John Malkovich’s performance “The Infernal Comedy – Confessions of
a serial killer”, as well as the Diane Von Furstenberg fashion show and
the painting exhibition “Miro of Majorca”, featuring original works of the
great Spanish artist.
d. Conferences and Seminars
“THEATRON” has also been designed to become one of the most
prominent Conference venues in Athens.
‘’Antigone’’ and “Iphigeneia”, its two multifunctional halls of 1000 and
650 seat maximum capacity respectively, may be customized to meet
the specific need of any organization and are both -along with a
number of smaller meeting rooms- equipped with state-of-the-art
audiovisual infrastructure.
“THEATRON” has hosted several high level national and international
conferences and corporate events and seminars, such as the 4th
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International
Conference
“Cultural
Convergence
and
Digital
Technology”, TEDX Athens, the informatics event CISCO EXPO, etc.
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A story of continuous growth
Hellenic
Cosmos
regularly
invests
in
scientific
research
and
technological applications. It has dedicated its efforts to continuously
improving its productions and services, in order to provide its visitors
with the best possible experience and maintain the highest possible
levels of audience satisfaction.
At the same time, the Centre is implementing an ambitious
development plan that provides for the creation of one of the biggest
Cultural Parks in Europe, covering an area of 60,0000m2, including
buildings that will host cultural, educational and research activities, as
well as outdoor facilities, lakes and numerous green and recreation
areas.
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Visiting Hellenic Cosmos
The Centre is located on 254 Piraeus Street, the main axis linking the
port of Piraeus to the city of Athens.
In quiet surroundings, it enjoys easy access and features a large free
parking area. All facilities are easily accessible by the elderly and
people with special needs.
Upon completing their visit, guests can choose from a wide variety of
unique books, CD-ROM’s, DVD’s and other special gifts, offered at the
Centre’s shop, in order to have a memento of their visit.
They can also relax at Hellenic Cosmos’ cafés –both in the building as
well as in the open atrium– and enjoy their coffee or light lunch in an
attractive environment.
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Address: 254 Pireos street, Tavros 177 78
Τel.: +30 212 254 0000
Fax: +30 212 254 0123
http://www.hellenic-cosmos.gr/
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